Producer Profiles

JUMARP - Asociación de Productores Cafetaleros Juan Marco El Palto

The Asociación de Productores Cafetaleros Juan Marco El Palto (or JUMARP) is located in the Amazonian Andes of northern Peru. Although coffee was introduced to the region in the 1950’s, production practices then relied heavily on agrochemicals. The organization was formed by 35 small farmers in 2003 to ensure a sustainable livelihood through coffee production and commercialization in harmony with the rain forest. When they achieved Fair Trade certification, they realized coffee exports could also be a vehicle to promote ethical behavior and community development. With Fair Trade premiums, JUMARP has focused on improving the quality of life in their community by educating members and promoting the sustainable use of resources. Today, JUMARP consists of 188 active members, all of whom produce organic and Fair Trade Certified coffee.

To ensure democratic decision-making, JUMARP focuses on channeling market knowledge toward producers so they can make informed and participatory decisions. Although they operate in a region with a long history of female disenfranchisement, 40 of the organization’s member families are headed by women and they have had continual representation on their Board of Directors.

Quotable

“

Fair Trade has taught us to follow our dreams. We dared to dream that we could be a new kind of human being, one that cares for the environment and for their community. Fair Trade creates the space for the commercial relationship to recognize the human dimension of production, and helps us create a strong identity based on ethics, democracy and solidarity. And… we show the world that a commercial model based on solidarity is viable. ”

Rodolfo Zumaran, Certifications Manager & Member

“

My name is Israel Carranza Montenegro and I have been a member of JUMARP since 2003. Being a member of JUMARP has helped me manage my land better with new production techniques. Before, we farmed without being careful of conserving trees, animals, or the forest. Before JUMARP was created, I was paid low prices for my coffee and was not able to pay for my children’s education. Now, with the new price we receive for our better quality coffee, our economic position has improved and our children attend school outside of the community. Before, we didn’t know where our coffee was exported; with JUMARP and the Fair Trade system we know exactly where our coffee goes, which businesses, and exactly what price has been paid. There is better management during the commercialization of our coffee. Being members of JUMARP has helped us become more solidified as a group and community. ”

Israel Carranza Montenegro

“

My name is José Carranza Barboza and I am the founder of JUMARP. The idea to form JUMARP was born as a new way to see agriculture from the producer, the exporter, and the consumer. It was necessary to change from one small producer, to one solid organization. Being part of the group strengthened us and allowed us to be owners of our own business. Becoming Fair Trade Certified has allowed us to be more humane with coffee production. We never thought we would arrive where we are today with the social development of our community. I believe it was worth it to organize our group and to realize a new way of farming with a human touch. We believe that certified organic production is the new philosophy in the world of agriculture. We believe in our country and that the way to move forward is with care of our environment for future generations. Through the organization we attain better prices, know the buyers and consumers of our coffee, and have more hope in maintaining this type of commerce for the long term stability of our community. ”

José Carranza Barboza

Programs

Crop Investment

JUMARP has invested fifty percent of their premium to the renovation of their crops and conversion to organic methods. In the last two years, improving productivity in these ways has been a top priority for the organization.

Education Enrichment

JUMARP has used a significant percentage of their premium fund for education enrichment, such as creating schools and financing courses in their rural communities.